In line with my recent thoughts on dressing up our outreach, I think we need to create a portfolio. Nothing too fancy-a 3-ring binder with plastic page protectors. Each page represents a project with a photograph and a brief description which might include makers intent, materials used (repurposed) and some comments on construction. Maybe a smaller photo of the maker(s) to humanize it. Kind of like what the blog is (should be?) doing now. Of course elaborate projects "could" have more pages, but the idea is that every project should be photographed written up by it's creator (with assistance if they seek it) and doing so shouldn't be a burden.

Ideally, this would be an automated extension of the blog—the ability to generate a PDF version of a project writeup that gets added to the "book" file. But then again everything works in Theory which is why I want to live there.

The end product—a book or books (the "master" should be a digital document so we can print as needed) that interested parties can flip through at events and a potential talking point for the members personing our table at events.

Step one is a page template--any of our graphic designers willing to take the lead? Step 1a is for everyone to start writing up projects and snapping photos. I'm willing to help with photos and I'm sure John could also be convinced to do so if we can pull him away from the HAM station. We should include write ups on some of our better "tools" too--the metal lathe, the new Miller TIG welder, the Makerbot, etc.

Great idea! I've been thinking about this as well but more for the digital domain - the wiki. If we can get a list of projects that are being worked on or have been completed (or near completed) in the past, I'll volunteer to to take some pics and do some writeups for either the portfolio or wiki. John has done quite a bit with the Ham radio stuff that I think deserves a place in the portfolio. Also of desire is recording videos of projects in action and big announcements like the one last night. I don't have a video camera, but if there's one available, I'll also volunteer to film these.